TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Simpson bay resort marina and spa

Hi , i have a question regarding Simson bay resort marina and spa . We are looking to book a studio , but they also have villas . is villa better ? its only 2 of us . do we need it ? please advise ! Who stayed in this resort ? Is it a good option ? We want to be close to many restaurants . THANKS

TOTALLY depends on where the studio is located. Some face a pool and some face a parking lot.....pool units aren't bad....sitting outside looking at cars is not my preferred place of residence. Villas are a different beast as are the one Bedroom units in the Resort (vs Villas)

I would go for a one BR either in the main resort or the Villas.....my preference

The studios, AKA junior suite in the villas is like a hotel room. Two queen beds, “dorm” frig, microwave, toaster and coffee pot.
The resort studios and much larger with a full kitchen. Unless you are budget minded, do not go for the “sleep two” studios. They are on the lowest level with obstructed views. I would go with the “sleep four”studio. Also a full kitchen, but more living area. All facing the water.

Agree. Go for a one bedroom. Studios can be on the back side of buildings facing parking lots or other undesirable locations.

if i understand correct its like 2 different resorts. i dont really need a kitchen . so i guess villas is my choice . i want to have an ocean view . i guess all units in villas are ocean front ? but can i use all pools or only one for villas ?

lena--but do you need a fridge that is bigger than dorm sized fridge??? Think a cube, with basically no freezer. To me, I couldn't deal with that, regardless of whether I was cooking or not.

Have stayed at the Villas a couple of times normally the two bedroom as we were with another couple. Loved the unit, would advise the one bedroom with ocean view.

thank you for that remark about fridge . i will think about it ....

lena--I truly GET what you're saying, about wanting ocean view, but is it not possible to book a specific ocean view room in the regular resort--that is, Simpson Bay Resort, vs Simpson Bay Villas? I know there are a couple of buildings that are ocean view in the regular resort, and there is an actual beach there, as compared to at the villas. I have also heard that the pool at the villas is very cold, because the building shades it from the sun.

Anyway, enjoy!

Thank you , we are still thinking , maybe will go to Sonesta again. we love that resort. our vacation is in April . how is the weather at that time of the year ?

Look into Flamingo. Great newly rebuilt resort. Saturday check-in studios are with beach view. Full size refrigerator with ice maker. Nice swim beach same as SBR. Very nice infinity pool too.

You can use all of the pools regardless of where you are staying at SBBR. I have stayed there several times and really enjoy the location.

We visit SXM every April and have for a great many years. I consider it to be my personal ‘best of the best’ with November being my close second. The water is warm, the crowds are usually smaller and it just doesn’t seem as hectic to me as some of the other times of the year.

If you’re into island celebrations it’s Carnival on the Dutch side. The only disadvantage to the mid to late April time frame that I’ve found is the number of holidays which can impact shoppers and scheduling activities if you’re not aware of them. It doesn’t really impact us but I have heard many complain about not being able to follow through with some of their plans due to holiday closures so it pays to check their holiday calendar.

But the plus side is you never have to worry about flight cancellations due to ice and snow depending on where you’re from.

Thanks everybody !